Whisper My Name Read online

“So you ran like a coward.”

  Brody stiffened at the accusation. “I have never run from anything in my life. You know that.”

  “You are a coward, Brody.” Ashton repeated. “When you slept with Danielle, you felt something and it scared the hell out of you. Instead of examining what it was you decided to ignore it, pretend you didn’t feel it.”

  “You don’t know what the hell you are talking about. Besides it’s none of your damn business.”

  “You’re right. It’s not. But I can see you are twisted in knots about what you said and how you treated her. That’s not the Brody I know.”

  “Still none of your business.”

  “I have known you all my life.”

  “So what? You don’t know anything.”

  “She is not Victoria.”

  “Don’t go there, Ash.”

  Pretty blond-haired Victoria Chapman went to college with both of them. Brody had fallen hard for her the first moment he saw her, laughing with Ashton and her girlfriends in the student café. He quickly realized she only had eyes for Ashton so he backed off and settled into the position of friend. At the time, he and Ashton had the reputation sleeping with women and moving on quickly.

  In their senior year, two weeks before college graduation, and in a drunken stupor, Ashton slept with Victoria, but could barely remember the encounter. Victoria, believing, they were now an item, declared her love for Ashton. Shocked, Ashton rejected her.

  A few days later, a troubled Victoria entered Ashton on-campus apartment and crawled alone into his bed. She was found later that night dead from a fatal dose of heroin. No one had known she was a user until it was too late.

  For a long time Brody had blamed his friend and himself, not realizing that Ashton silently carried the guilt of her death also.

  It took years for him and Ashton to talk about Victoria’s death. Blaming Ashton wouldn’t bring Victoria back and Ashton telling him he should’ve told Victoria how he felt didn’t make him feel better. It was a painful process but they maneuvered through the landmines. Both of them came out scarred but also with a clearer understanding of each other faults. They weren’t perfect by a long shot but they forged a new friendship, which only became stronger as time progressed.

  “After our talk, we made the decision not to speak about Victoria,” Brody said.

  “No, you made that decision. I didn’t agree to it.”

  “You didn’t disagree at the time.”

  “This situation with Danielle calls for opening old wounds.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  “You are damaged. You are letting the past dictate your future.”

  “There is nothing in my past that affects me.”

  “You go through life acting as if nothing touches you. You are not invincible, Brody.”

  “My life is just fine.”

  “Go ahead and continue to lie to yourself, but I see things differently.”

  “Now you are talking in riddles. Tell me what the hell you mean.”

  “No. It’s time for you to figure it out yourself,” Ashton said, and walked away from him.

  ###

  The next evening, the door to Brody’s high-rise apartment slammed shut with force. He was in the process of fixing a drink from the well-stocked bar when he glanced toward the door. His sister was quickly advancing toward him. Her long, curly copper hair was wild and untamed, her face ruddy and blotchy, as if she had been in a fight or running.

  “Brodus James Beaumont III!” Sally shrieked. Her voice was harsh and clearly angry, and it was directed at him. A fierce scowl was fixed on her face along with wide, searching eyes. The tightness around her lips indicated she was trying to keep her anger under control.

  Brody drew in some much needed air, exhaled, and then calmly threw back the club soda and pomegranate juice mixture, downing it in one gulp, and wishing it was something stronger. It was going to be a long evening. He took another deep breath and set the glass on the marble counter of the bar.

  “Hi Sally. You didn’t tell me you were stopping by.”

  She planted her fists on her slim hips and glared. “Don’t you ‘hi Sally’ me.”

  “What’s the problem?” he said calmly.

  “Oh, no you don’t.”

  “Don’t what?”

  “Now you want to play innocent and ignorant of the facts.”

  “You storm in here and expect me to know what or who rattled your cage and pissed you off?”

  “Unbelievable! You’re going to stand there and lie to my face?”

  Brody’s brows drew together impatiently. His fingers squeezed the tension in his neck. “Apparently, there’s something on your mind, so spill it.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Since I have already been tried and convicted maybe you could tell me my crime.”

  “I’ll rephrase the question. What did you say to her?”

  “I have said a lot of things to people. First, I need to know who you’re talking about.”

  “You know damn well I’m talking about Danielle.” Sally threw up her hands. “You’re being evasive and it’s pissing me off.”

  He squinted, deliberately letting his thoughts conjure Danielle’s image in his mind. Chic, fashionable, sensual and sexy as hell.

  He turned from his sister’s probing eyes and refocused. Danielle would have nothing to do with him, not now. The hurt in her eyes had been massive. He’d caused the damage.

  The moments they’d shared, on his ranch, at dinner and her house, seemed so long ago. It was over. He got out before it became too deep and he was glad he’d missed the pothole. He waited for the relief to come—it didn’t.

  Moodily, Brody filled a shot glass full of bourbon, sipped at it and let his thoughts darken. He warred with confusion, lack of control and an unnamed emotion he didn’t recognize. Resentment and anger burned in him. He felt as if he was on a roller coaster, going too fast around the corners and with the wheels dangerously lifting from the tracks. He was crashing and he didn’t have a clue where he would land or if he would survive.

  He had an appointment tonight with one of the women he casually slept with but the thought of entertaining mindless sex left him empty and with a bad taste in his mouth. He’d broken his cardinal rule and invited the woman to his home. That’s something he hadn’t done before. He was absolutely at a low place in his life. He admitted he was miserable and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

  His thoughts interrupted, he heard the brisk tone of his sister’s voice, lacking the normal pleasure she bestowed upon him when she was in his presence.

  “Did she spurn your advances and you decided to take it out on her?”

  He cringed at the words. “That’s uncalled for. You need to get the complete story before you make accusations.”

  She flopped down in a high back chair, crossed her legs, then her arms and glared. “I’m listening.”

  “I’m not discussing my private —”

  “Hell, Brody, you don’t have a private life. Every damn move you make is splattered all over the gossip rags, the internet, and newspapers around the globe.”

  “You need to stop reading that trash.”

  “Don’t change the subject. Everyone in Dallas knows you took Supermodel Danielle Evans on a romantic date to Regine’s.”

  His head swiveled toward her.

  “You’re surprised? That’s a first.” She brushed it off with a wave. “You’ve never taken a woman to that particular restaurant. It started people talking. So this must’ve meant something to you?”

  “People should mind their own damn business.”

  “You’re one of the most eligible bachelors in the state of Texas, hell, the entire United States. Along with being a billionaire, gorgeous as Zeus…”

  He threw her an angry look.

  She shrugged. “Not my description, but People Magazine’s, and you’re called elusive and reclusive. Of course, your name
is going to be on everyone’s lips when you do something out of the ordinary…like take a woman on a date.” She stood. “Your reputation is one night stands with you rarely coming back for seconds, and that only happens if the mood strikes.”

  “When did you develop such a nasty mouth?”

  She rolled her eyes. “What happened between you and Danielle?”

  He tensed. Something in her tone hinted at the seriousness of the question. He felt uncomfortable and contrite at his attitude toward Danielle. Now he was under attack from his sister, and Nicole probably would never speak to him in a conciliatory manner again.

  “You’re my brother, Brody and I love you, but I also recognize you’re ruthless and can be cruel when it comes to business. I have never seen it directed at another person. But then again I never thought, for one minute, you would purposely hurt someone I love. You know how much Danielle and Nicole mean to me.”

  “My personal life is private and off limits, Sally,” he said, again.

  She looked at him incredulously. “You’re kidding, right? News flash! Everything, and I mean everything, you do or say, Brody is on display. You don’t have a damn private life!”

  “I disagree.”

  “Take the blinders off.” She sighed. “Hell, I’m not going to let you steer me off course. You have a habit of doing that. I’m not here to talk about you, but Danielle.”

  “What happened with Danielle is a private matter,” he said stiffly.

  She snapped her fingers. “Ah. Uh…I knew. Something did happen. You slept with her,” she said matter-of-factly, completely unfazed, and stood. “But how could you, Danielle is my friend not one of your playthings.” She shook her head, sadly. “I’ve never understood the inner workings of your mind. It’s a total mystery but I never allowed it to bother me because you are my brother. You think you are untouchable, Brody from everything… life, emotions…and love. I knew it was going to be trouble when you couldn’t keep your eyes off her at the christening.”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Maybe…maybe not, but I know you, my brother.”

  He didn’t respond because he knew everything he was feeling would spill out. He remembered the feel of waking up with Danielle in his arms, which was something rare for him. He didn’t do morning after. He left no matter how creative the woman was or how good the sex. Many women tried everything in the book to get him to stay, even resulting to tears but he never took the bait. It didn’t move him. No woman got her hooks into him. He fucked them. He didn’t sleep with them. No exceptions, but he had broken his own rule with Danielle.

  He jabbed his fingers through his hair, running them through the long strands. “I see you’re upset. We should—”

  “I’m not letting you off that easy, Brody. You called her a bitch without morals.”

  “That’s not what I said.”

  Hearing the words spoken by another person made him cringed. They sounded cruel and unforgiving.

  “You implied it.” Incredulity mixed with fury laced her voice.

  “You weren’t there, Sally.”

  “I didn’t need to be. Nicole told me everything. Mom and Dad would be appalled at the things you do and say. Have you forgotten everything they taught us?”

  He stiffened at the reprimand. “They are your parents, Sally. Remember I was the trash deposited on a doorstep.”

  She gasped, tears immediately filling her eyes, showing honest pain.

  “Are you disclaiming me also? I’m no longer your sister?”

  “That’s not what I said…you know you—”

  “Mom, dad and I have given you nothing but pure love.”

  “I know that. They are wonderful parents and you are the best sister, Sal, but sometimes…” He shook his head. “I don’t know.”

  “You are a coward, Brody. You want more. Why you are stuck on a very short period of time that has no relevance in the life you have today?”

  “Not relevant!” he barked. “It shaped me into the person I am, Sally. It made me strive to be the best at everything. I wanted the parents proud of me.”

  “They are, Brody.”

  “You know your bloodline. I don’t.” He inhaled deeply. “I had a DNA test performed. It showed I’m half Native American. The other half is a mixture with English, French, and Scandinavian blood.”

  “Why did you do that? Do mom and dad know you had a test done?”

  “No.”

  “Don’t you think you should tell them?”

  “What difference would it make? It won’t change who I am.”

  “You’re their son. My brother. That’s all you need to know. Nothing will ever change that. I never knew how much pain you’re in.”

  He stiffened. “How can I be in pain about something I don’t remember?”

  “Don’t make light of this, Brody.”

  “Forget it, Sally. People, life and situations change every day.”

  “Don’t bullshit me. Nothing will erase the fact that our parents have loved you from day one. They are always bragging about you to all their friends. Dad is especially proud of everything you have accomplished on your own and with the family business. He love saying, my son this or my son that with such awe in his voice. You’re a son and a brother. Nothing will change that. I refuse to let it. Dad and mom never showed a difference between us. I didn’t either.”

  “Realistically, it doesn’t change the fact; I’m not their blood or yours.”

  “So what? Daddy’s name and yours are the same. You’re the heir apparent to everything.”

  “Does that bother you?”

  “Damn, Brody. You’re not listening! I’ve tagged behind you all my life. I worshipped the ground you walked on.”

  “I never asked you to.” He pinched the end of nose and then sighed. “I am what I am, Sally, a man with faults. I’m nothing more or nothing else. I won’t pretend to be otherwise.”

  “Bullshit. None of us are perfect. You want me to feel sorry for you? Well, I don’t. You aren’t the first person to be abandoned and you won’t be the last. Most people go on and create productive lives. You have more money than you will ever spend. Women fall at your feet in droves, and every business venture you’re involved in becomes successful. The family doesn’t see you as the adoptive son but as the son of Broadus and Claire Beaumont. You’re golden. What more do you want, Brody?”

  “Life is more than material things.”

  “You are loved beyond measure…that is unconditional love.”

  “I know that.”

  “Why can’t you accept it?”

  “I don’t know,” he said softly and then slid into silence.

  “You keep searching for something that isn’t available. Mom and dad have never mentioned your biological parents?”

  “No.”

  “But you want to know,” she persisted.

  “Wouldn’t you?”

  “It depends on…”

  “Yeah, on what?”

  “How full my life is. Look, Brody, you’re a complicated man. A control freak. I get it. No loose ends for you. Everything must be nice and tidy or you’ll die trying to make sure it is. You got a raw deal, born to a woman and man, who didn’t want you. So to hell with them! They lost out. But I guarantee they are out there somewhere wishing they could have a do over, but it’s not happening. You belong to us.”

  “The woman was Native American…”She’s dead.”

  “What?” Shock could be heard in the one word she uttered.

  He walked to the bar and poured more bourbon into a glass and drained it.

  “I did some digging.”

  Sally remained silent.

  “After the DNA testing I wanted to know more, so I hired a private investigator.”

  “Oh, my goodness. This is serious…really serious. You had a DNA test done? How? What if mom and dad find out—”

  “The investigator was discreet. You know I would never do anything to hurt the
m. I won’t let something like this touch them. I made sure of it. My roots start at a reservation in Montana.”

  “Is that why you purchased a ranch there? To trace your roots?”

  “Not at first. I was initially drawn to the state after I had some business dealings there. In the beginning I thought it was the openness of the land and the solitude that drew me, but I have found so much more.”

  “Such as?”

  “Family.”

  “Dad, Mom and me, we are you family!”

  He moved toward her and gave her arm a soft squeeze. “Yes, you are. But this is different, Sally. To find someone who has the same flow of blood in their veins as mine. It’s different. I can’t explain it but I get to find out where I came from.”

  “You’re my brother, Brody. You are my rock.” Tears swelled in her eyes and slid down her cheeks. “I’m not giving you up. I love you too damn much.”

  “Shh,” he said, offering comfort to the one person in his world he freely gave his love. Sally would always remain his little sister. He had been the only child for almost thirteen years before his mother got pregnant with Sally during her change of life. Since he wasn’t the Beaumont’s biological child, he assumed he would be regulated to the back of the family tree. To be honest he was prepared to accept the position but it didn’t happen. How wrong he had been. Sally stole his heart from the moment she was born and her tiny hand grabbed his finger.

  From the time she could walk, she followed him everywhere, eventually becoming a pest when she became of school age. He’d let her know it. But it never stopped her from, showering him with her love, quirkiness, and kisses.

  No matter how many girls he dated, Sally didn’t like them and told him so. She never thought any girl was good enough for him. He grinned at the thought. She’d always been very protective of him. Although he scoffed at the idea, he secretly cherished her fussing over him and claiming her permanent first place position, as she stated, in his life.

  Tonight was the first time that she didn’t give him a smacking kiss on the cheek when she greeted him. She must’ve been really pissed. He sighed and pulled her tightly against his chest. “I love you too, squirt.”

  “How much?”